Ministry to tackle binge drinking among Luxembourg youth

A study by the Luxembourg Health Ministry has confirmed that binge drinking is a problem among teenagers in the Grand Duchy, prompting the launch of a national action plan for the summer.

01.03.2013

(CS/aa) A study by the Luxembourg Health Ministry has confirmed that binge drinking is a problem among teenagers in the Grand Duchy, prompting the launch of a national action plan for the summer.

The study looked into hospital admissions for alcohol poisoning among young people between May 2011 and March 2012 at the “Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg” and the “Kannerklinik”.

In answer to a parliamentary question by CSV MP Serge Wilmes, Health Minister Mars Di Bartolomeo said that many of the teenagers admitted to hospital after excessive alcohol consumption showed a blood alcohol level of over two per mille. Three quarters of the teenagers hospitalised after drinking were treated for alcohol poisoning.

The problem was meanwhile not limited to public holidays or weekends, when teenagers will go out at night to party but cases also occurred during the week and daytime.

The minister said that further details about the patients and patient numbers could not be revealed due to medical confidentiality.

No adult supervision

However, one of the main problems relating to the issue, according to the minister is that youngsters drink outside of the home, but also outside of bars and clubs, among their peers. More than half of the hospitalised teenagers had indicated that they were drinking with people their own age.

Three quarters also said that this was the first time that they were drunk.

Di Bartolomeo meanwhile called on police and public authorities to ensure that alcohol was not served to underage teenagers. The evaluation of the “No alcohol for under 16-year-olds”, which ran from 2010 to 2012, revealed that under 16-year-olds were more frequently served alcohol at bars, clubs or parties than supermarkets or other points of sale.

Broad action plan for the summer

The analysis of the study had also stressed the importance of legislation, as well as pricing of alcohol as a way to prevent teenage drinking. At the same time, information and awareness raising campaigns were shown to have an additional impact.

An action plan to tackle the problem of binge drinking and alcohol consumption among teenagers should be completed by the Summer of this year, the minister announced.

The plan will cover a variety of aspects, such as alcohol consumption among pregnant and nursing women, the protection of children and adolescents, prevention of intoxication at the work place, as well as road safety.

The minister also wants adults, parents and teachers to act as role models, and help in addressing the problem.